We as BENEO have expanded our sales activities towards the Asian market because we see a growing potential for high-quality excipients. In China, the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries are transforming rapidly. Stricter regulations, rising consumer awareness, and the shift toward premium health products fuel this change.
Chengdu: A Rising Hub for Life Sciences
Chengdu, the vibrant capital of Sichuan Province in southwest China, is a city of extraordinary richness—economically, culturally, and historically. With a population of over 20 million, it ranks among China’s most important cities, blending ancient traditions with modern innovation. It is quickly becoming a key center for China’s pharmaceutical and biotech industries. The city stands out for blending traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)— rooted in centuries of herbal and holistic practices—with cutting-edge biopharmaceutical research. Innovation thrives in Chengdu, thanks to hubs like Tianfu International Bio-Town and the Chengdu High-Tech Industrial Development Zone. These zones bring together universities, startups, and global pharma companies to collaborate. The industry is shifting from making generic drugs to creating high-value, innovative therapeutics. Advances in precision medicine, synthetic biology, and global licensing deals are driving this change and putting Chengdu on the map in the global life sciences field.
galenIQ™ Meets Growing Nutraceutical Demand
China’s booming nutraceutical market pushes companies to search for new formulation solutions. BENEO’s galenIQ™ is increasingly recognized as a key ingredient to meet these needs. Accordingly, we were excited to join forces with our sales partner Yun Hong Pharmaceutical Excipients to engage directly with professionals from the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry in the country.
Tai Chiem, Sales Manager Pharma, travelled to Chengdu in September for a technical seminar that brought together leading industry suppliers including BASF, BENEO, Imery, and Polymer. Tai joined the BENEO Pharma team in March 2025, taking on the responsibility of expanding and strengthening our sales activities across the ASPAC region. More than 30 participants from the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical sectors attended the event in person, while 650 joined online. This impressive turnout highlights the growing interest in high-quality and innovative excipients in the region. The seminar focused on galenIQ™, our innovative excipient known for its versatility and performance in a wide range of formulations. During the seminar, participants were particularly impressed by the broad application possibilities and unique benefits galenIQ™ offers—from improved taste masking to enhanced tablet binding.
A Taste of Innovation: Blind Taste Test
To kick off the presentation, ten volunteers joined a blind taste test. They compared three unlabeled samples to ensure unbiased feedback: galenIQ™, mannitol, and lactose. Eight out of ten volunteers selected galenIQ™ as the best-tasting excipient. This result highlights its superior sensory profile and strong potential for taste-masking applications.
A Deep Dive into galenIQ™
In his presentation, Tai highlighted galenIQ™’s unique properties, especially its sensory profile. Its ability to mask unpleasant flavors directly supports better patient compliance in oral formulations. Tai concluded his presentation with a comparative analysis. It showed how galenIQ™ differs from commonly used excipients like mannitol, lactose, and MCC (microcrystalline cellulose) in taste, compressibility, and versatility.
Engaging Discussions and Positive Feedback
The seminar sparked lively discussions, with many participants hearing about galenIQ™ for the first time. Given their familiarity with traditional excipients, attendees were eager to understand how galenIQ™ could enhance their formulations. Their response was highly positive. Many participants showed strong interest in exploring galenIQ™ further – proof of the value of direct exchange and knowledge sharing.
To conclude the seminar on a high note, Yunhong organized a quiz to test participants’ knowledge of excipients. The session sparked friendly competition, with attendees eagerly answering questions and showing what they learned. The quiz reinforced key takeaways and added a fun, interactive twist to the event. Winners received valuable prizes, which added a celebratory touch and acknowledged their efforts and attentiveness throughout the seminar. This final activity strengthened participants’ understanding, boosted engagement, and highlighted the seminar’s collaborative spirit. It was a great way to end a productive and inspiring experience.
We’re proud to see galenIQ™ gaining traction in China and are grateful to our sales partner Yunhong for their excellent organization and support.
This seminar marks another successful step in our mission to promote innovation and quality in global health and nutrition. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and expanding our reach in this dynamic high sales potential market.
Visiting China and participating in the seminar was a truly enriching experience. The energy and enthusiasm of the participants were inspiring. It was exciting to see galenIQ™ spark so much interest once again. Chengdu itself was vibrant and welcoming, and I appreciated the opportunity to connect with professionals who are passionate about innovation in health and nutrition. I’m especially grateful to our sales network partner Yunhong for organizing such a well- managed event. I’m looking forward to many more collaborations in China and continuing to build strong connections in the region.
Tai Chiem
Sales Manager Pharma
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